Romantically Defined

Happy Monday All,

Did you have a good weekend? A great one? Mine was full of recovering from my ear/sinus infection. It sounds like a blast, doesn't it? Well...it wasn't what I'd call the most fun I've ever had. But I did enjoy a little time with my husband, so that was a plus.

Interesting question occurred to me as I was watching a Hallmark Channel movie (Love By The Book):

What is your idea of Romance? What is something that happened to you that you consider romantic?

This is interesting to me on more than one level. For one thing, I'm hopelessly romantic. I even like some of the cheesier stuff. Or heartwarming.

It's also questions Romance novelists (such as yours truly) strive to answer when they write their novels.

So, you tell me. What do you consider romantic?

Have A Marvelously Magical Monday!

A Little Humor...

Happy Friday All,

I hope your week has been awesome. Yes, as I said, Jason and Laney (from my Immortal Dreams Trilogy) are still playing around in my head. "Awesome" is one of Jason's favorite words. If you asked him, he'd tell you HE'S awesome. And, in some ways, he was subconsciously modeled after my husband (I never intentionally model any of my characters after anyone I know). Here's proof (this is from a conversation we had a while back):

Me:  I think I subconsciously modeled Jason after you.

Husband (grinning): That's why he's such an awesome character.

Me (in a dry tone): I shouldn't have told you that the first time I told you.

Husband just continued to grin and laugh. Go figure, right?

But I can't deny my husband has some pretty awesome qualities. He's a really good Dad, and pretty considerate of me. He'll take the Offspring somewhere just so I can write. He goes on walks and things so I can nap (whenever he's got a day off from work). So let's say, yeah, he's pretty darn awesome. But he also has the poke-fun qualities Jason possesses. So, yeah, in some ways, Jason is a bit like my Husband. Main differences? Husband is not an Immortal, and he's not considered 18 (he's actually quite a bit older than that, but I'm younger than him--HA!) Yes, we have a very playful marriage, and I guess that playfulness seeped into my novels. Not that I mind. I love incorporating humor into my work. It makes it more fun.

What sort of things do you like to find in novels?

Have A Fabulously Fun Friday!

A Million Story Directions

Happy Thursday All,

I'm late posting this because I wasn't able to schedule it ahead of time to post automatically for me. Real life keeps creeping into my writing/blogging time, but that's just the way things are right now. The good news is, I am getting writing in. Not as much or as often as I'm used to, but it's happening. That in itself is a really good thing.

The other day I talked about word-of-mouth and how important that is to authors. Yes, I can't emphasize this enough. You have no idea how incredibly powerful it is. You readers make or break our careers. I love writing and publishing and sharing my imagination with you all. It brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. It's a dream come true.

On another note, the Immortal Dreams Trilogy is completed and all 3 books are available, yet I still have Jason and Laney playing around

in my head. I guess I'm not completely ready to say goodbye to that world. Where it will lead...well, I'm not total sure, yet. I'm working on another WIP (Work In Progress)--a new series--and I really have to focus on that. That story deserves my attention. But I'm tucking the Immortals in the corner of my mind for future reference.

My WIP is definitely a story I want to complete. It has been patient while I've been immersed in the Third Realm (All's Fair In Love & Lion) and silently waiting its turn while I navigated the world of the Immortals (Immortal

Dreams Trilogy). Now it wants my attention...it wants to be completed, and the other two stories in that series deserve the same consideration.

So, what's a writer to do when he or she is being pulled in more than one story direction? One thing I do is to write up notes for the other stories, and go back to the WIP. That way the author doesn't lose the ideas, but can also keep going on the WIP.

Do you read more than one novel at a time? How do you keep each story straight?

Have A Tremendously Terrific Thursday!

Word-Of-Mouth Magic

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

I'm going to put this out there. Other authors have posted about it on Facebook, and I've mentioned it from time to time:

Readers, you have tremendous power. YOU hold the key to an author's success. How does an author become a bestseller? He or she has readers getting and enjoying his or her work. Readers tell other readers, who tell other readers, and soon you have a hit. Word of mouth is terribly important to authors. I'm no different.

If you like a novel--if you like any of my novels--please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and any

Statue in the Botanical Gardens in Springdale, Arkansas

other website where the author's work appears. It doesn't cost you anything and it has the potential to help the author. (Including the potential of helping this author!)

However, the most important way you can help an author is by telling other readers about him or her. Talk about their work. Let others know what you enjoyed about it and why. I have gotten interested in two authors in particular from direct word-of-mouth:

When I was younger a friend of mine was a huge fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Phantom of The Opera. At the time, I heard my friend out, but wasn't really interested. Some time later,

another friend was talking about it, and answered several of my questions. I got interested in the music, and found out it was a book by French author, Gaston Leroux. I found an English translation of Leroux's book and read it. At first, the novel wasn't easy to read--Leroux throws you right into the action and it takes a minute to figure out what's going on. But I soon came to understand there was a particularly psychological element to Erik the Ghost (Leroux's Phantom) and even at times, sympathize with the character. I saw the movie (and I even own it on DVD) and finally saw the stage play with my husband. I enjoyed both the movie and the stage version, and don't mind seeing either one. The book is really good, too (I've read it probably 2-3 times). You really get an inside look into Erik and understand his personality better than either the movie or the play (in my own opinion, that is. But this doesn't mean I don't like the musical--I own the DVD, remember?)

Another example is getting into author Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries. The credit for me getting into Hunter's novels goes to one of my cousins. She was ranting and raving about Hunter's work and I got curious. I don't like to be told "You HAVE to read this." or you "MUST read that." I got enough of that in high school being told what to read and when to read it. I like to make up my own mind about novels. However, my cousin said enough that made me want to look into the work. What I found was an

interesting vampire world with a strong historical element, filled with mystery, suspense, romance, and adventure. I read all 4 books, and am happy she's chosen to expand the world (Elemental World novels).

I'm sure there are other times word-of-mouth worked for me as a reader. This another reason as an author, I value word-of-mouth. I never know who will enjoy my work and sometimes the only way a reader finds out about me is through my readers telling other readers about me.

So please, do me and other authors a favor. Tell your friends, tell your peers, and family members about us. We really appreciate it.

Who is your favorite author you heard about from someone else?

Have A Tremendously Thrilling Tuesday!

It's 2016!

Happy Monday All,

It's a brand new year! In some ways, it seems like it's taken a long time to get to 2016, in others, it seems like it's moved fast. Whether fast or slow, it's here.

A lot of people like to reflect on the year that's past. For me, it was a whirlwind of change. My family grew, bringing new challenges--both good things and rough. I'm pretty sleep deprived these days as a result (I know sleep is possible...just not yet). I'm starting out the year with having published 4 novels and working on another and a few new ideas.



I haven't completely left the Immortals from Immortal Dreams Trilogy behind. They're still there (and Jason and Laney often make appearances on the Immortal Dreams Facebook page). But I'm not actively working on anything, yet. However, ideas are there.

  

I'm pursuing new possibilities. It's both exciting and nerve-wrecking. I keep asking myself, "What's the next best move for me? What should I do?" I often get a sense about things and so far I have no reason to question what's on the current path, but I have no idea what's going to happen, yet.

So, that brings me to 2016. The possibilities, hopes, and dreams are fresh, and there's no let-down, or triumph to color the year one way or another. Every year has had ups and downs, and I don't expect 2016 to be all happy or all sad. But I wonder beyond what I know is coming, what will happen.

In a way it's like reading a novel you get into. You have a nervous anticipation about what will happen next with the characters. You

have a few ideas of what will happen, but you don't know for sure what the outcome will be. So you keep going, nervously excited for  and dreading what's on the next page. That's 2016 for me.

There are several things I'm anticipating, and a few things I'm nervous or dreading. There are things that I'm concerned will happen, but things I pray will happen.

So, what about you? What is the new year, 2016, to you?

Have A Marvelously Merry Monday!

Work, Life, & Anticipation

Happy Friday Darling Readers,

I hope everyone is doing well. I've been running around being wife, mommy, and writer. 

I got some material out to an agent who requested some chapters of a WIP (work in progress) of mine. I expect it'll be a while before I hear back. Agents are incredibly busy and they also have their real lives to think of, too. But I'm praying for a contract. I really like this agent and the agency the agent represents.

I posted my review of C.C. Hunter's final installment of Della's story, Unspoken. I really enjoyed it. I think her fans will NOT be disappointed.

Currently I'm looking forward to a bunch of things that aren't my projects:

C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls going to Internet screen show series.

Jennifer L. Armentrout's Oblivion release and the Lux Series going to screen. (I think TV?)

Kiera Cass's announcement about The Selection going to the big screen.

Reading the last book in Lesley Livingston's Starling series (whenever that happens).

Reading the new Rick Riordan series (and finishing up Heroes of Olympus series).

Seeing the new Peanuts and Star Wars movies. I also want to see Inside Out and the Minions movies.


I'm also loving this season of Once Upon A Time!

What things are you working on and looking forward to in the book, movie, or TV world?

Have a Fantastically Fabulous Friday!

Is It Better Left UNSPOKEN?

Hi Darling Readers,

While my blogging right now is going to be a bit on the sporadic side, but to make it up to you, I have a special surprise...an official blog book review!

Author C.C. Hunter has the final installment of her Della stories on sale today.

Della is a vampire on a mission: to clear her father's name. She doesn't believe for an instant that he killed his sister. But between secrets and lies, how is she supposed to uncover the truth?

Then there's Chase. The vampire who saved her life. Is her attraction to him real or just part of the blood-bond they share? Can she even trust him after he lied to her?

Truths will be revealed and secrets discovered. Lives will change forever.

But is it a good thing or should it all have remained Unspoken?

You can get your copy of the exciting conclusion to Della's story on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading and have a tantalizing Tuesday!